Unfortunate Soul in a Fortunate World

by Smexy Sombra

First published 28th of May, 2013

A strange child is found in the frozen wastes that surround the fair Crystal city. What happens when Cadence decides to raise him herself?

There have been rumors of a child in the frozen wastes crying for it's mother. When ponies go to investigate, nothing is there. Princess Cadence catches wind of this and decides to take action. When she enters the frozen wastes, she finds more than just a child calling for it's mother.

Rated Teen for language in the future.
(Takes place before Twilight's Coronation. Will be added later on)

Chapter 1: Discovery

Cadence looked over her Crystal Kingdom with a smile on her face. She saw the smiles of her ponies and the city flourishing. The sun shines high above her city thanks to her aunt in Canterlot and her husband was busy training the guards for her city.

It had been several months since Sombra was defeated and the winter wonderland that still surrounded her city was slowly melting away. The weather and area was still tainted by Sombra’s magic, but thankfully the love in the ponies hearts and help from Twilight Sparkle, the world was carefully and slowly going back to it’s original lush green landscape.

“Your highness?” A older guard interrupted her train of thought. With a quick blink to steady her thought she smiled and turned around to see the guard standing with the traditional stoic expression.

“Yes, my guard? Anything new to tell?” Cadence asked warmly.

“A strange creature has been seen wandering around the frozen wasteland. It appears to be crying for it’s mother but so far nothing has arrived to claim it. What are your orders?” The guard said in a monotone voice.

“Strange creature? Crying for it’s mother? Why has no one yet to go comfort this poor thing!?” Cadence almost shouted at the unbelievable statement.

“Your highness, we know not how to handle these things. For all we know that creature could be the spawn of the shadow king himself!” The guard stated, not batting an eye at the princesses tone.

“Now that is absurd! Sombra was defeated months ago and any signs of his return would have already shown themselves.” Cadence said looking over her city again.

“And yet his influence remains. We cannot take a chance. We must still maintain that this... Thing, no matter how young, could be hostile.” Another voice said, Shining walked into the room looking tired from the training he had just done.

“With all due respect, perhaps it is best to leave this creature to its fate.” The guard said, Shining nodded

“Now that is just obscene.” Cadence hissed as she turned to face the guard with a glare that only Celestia could possibly handle. “You would leave a poor innocent creature to die in the frozen land that surrounds our home?”

“The needs of the few or the one should not outway the needs of the many.” Shining added.

“Then gather your guards, I shall see what is so horrible about a creature crying for it’s mother. As if it’s not already horrific enough.” Cadence scoffed as she trotted past the guards and down the halls. Her horn glowed as a coat floated from a closet as she passed and secured the coat around her neck. She turned to see Shining Armor and a few guards exchanging glances of uncertainty.

“What could it be?” One guard asked.

“What if he’s returned?” Another said nervously.

“Okay that’s enough!” Shining Armor shouted as he turned to face his troops. “I have not groomed you maggots into shields for the ponies of the city just to have you chicken out on me here and now! NOW FALL IN AND SHUT YOUR MUZZLES!”

All the guards straightened up and stood at attention before a loud and synced ‘YES SIR’ was heard through the castle walls. Shining Armor smiled and levitated his own winter coat onto his back before he looked back to Cadence with a smug smile on his face. Cadence simply rolled her eyes at Shining as several guards began to follow her.

Soon Cadence, Shining Armor, and seven of the guards were marching through the frozen tundra that circled the city around. They had been searching for this strange creature for the past twenty minutes. Cadence was just about ready to call it a silly rumor and go back to the city to continue the more important business that plagued her desk.

She sighed and looked over the guards as they searched the frozen wasteland for any sign of the creature. She shook her head and watched as her breath turned to mist in front of her. A single guard walked over and saluted before stating.

“We have searched every thing in this area. There is not a sign of the creature, whatever it was must have perished in the snow.” The guard said with a small tone of sympathy in his voice. Cadence closed her eyes to give whatever creature in the snow had perished a moment of silence, good or evil.

“Nothing, evil or no, should never have to die in the snow begging for it’s mother to come back.” Cadence muttered as she listened to the snow whip past her ears. Shining Armor shouted an order as the guard saluted again and ran back as the soldiers went into a formation and began to march back to the city as Shining Armor trotted over and nuzzled his wife.

Cadence gladly returned the affection as the sounds of the winter surrounded them. She looked at Shining with a small expression of sadness as he sighed.

“I am sorry Candy, there is nothing we can do for it if we can’t find it.” Shining said sorrowfully. Cadence could only nod as Shining Armor lead her back to the city. As they trotted back to the city, Cadence heard the faintest sound of a whimper.

She stopped dead in her tracks as her head whipped in the direction of the somber noise. Her ears swiveled around to catch any noise. Like the sound of a pen dropping in a hallway, her ears snapped to the sound of a sniffle. With determination in her mind she galloped towards the noise, not stopping to hear the complaints and hollow orders to return coming from her husband. She continued to run until she found a small hill of ice and snow piled together to create a arch that barely shielded anything that was smart enough to hide from the frozen torment the land held.

Under the arch was a small silver bodied figure with grey, fuzzy five fingered paws, black legs along with black rubbery textured looking hooves, or well paws. The poor creature was sniveling and sobbing as it curled up under the ice arch quietly calling out for it’s mother to come back.

It was in that moment Cadence’s heart broke. She gently and carefully approached the creature, still being mindful that it could attack her at any moment. As she neared it, she heard it more clearly, it sounded like a colt calling to it’s lost mother, hoping that she will find him. She took another step towards the small creature and ever so carefully lifted her hoof and gently tapping the creature’s silver coat which felt more like fabric that fur.

The small creature’s head almost snapped as it looked at her and suddenly backing up with tears streaming down it’s face. She immediately noticed this creature was not that of any thing she knew of. It’s face was hairless although a mane could be made out through the hood of whatever it was wearing. She simply watched as the bloodshot and watery eyes clenched shut and the creature covered it’s head in a futile attempt to protect itself.

Cadence could no longer stand to see this poor thing in such a state of sorrow. As much as she’d hate to admit it, this poor thing was most likely a orphan. With no other options left she gently laid down in the snow, ignoring the bone chilling cold she instantly felt, and put on a smile.

“Don’t worry.” She said gently and calmly. “I am not going to hurt you.”

The creature stopped cowering and uncovered it’s eyes to look at her. The gentle green irises seemed to plead for safety from the cold. “A-a-are y-y-you g-g-going t-to t-take m-me to m-my m-m-mummy?” It asked.

Cadence swallowed a lump in her throat before gently saying. “I can’t take you to your mommy, but I can take you to where she may find you.”

The creature slowly undid it’s limbs and wiped it’s nose with a sleeve before looking at Cadence. “R-r-really?” It asked. Cadence slowly nodded and sat up on her haunches before opening her front hooves.

“Now come along, I will take you someplace warm.” She said gently, making sure to prepare a fail safe spell just incase it was a trap. The creature slowly, almost painfully so, crawled towards her until it was sitting right in front of her before it practically leapt and embraced Cadence and her warmth. Cadence gasped as she felt the small limbs wrap halfway around her midsection before she looked down and saw the small creature looking up at her with tear stains on it’s cheeks.

“C-c-can w-we g-g-go n-now?” It asked whimpering from the cold. Cadence smiled again and nodded before she shifted the creature’s grip so it was on her back and opened her wings to keep the winds from knocking it off. With that she took a deep breath before running into the snow and following the now apparent calls of Shining Armor and the guards. As she arrived near them Shining ran up and nuzzled her affectionately as the guards panned out scouring the tundra with their vision.

“Where have you been!? Do you know how close I was to burning this whole frozen wasteland just to find you?!” Shining Armor scolded as Cadence returned her affection twice fold and gently whispering in a exhausted breath.

“I found the motherless infant.” And folding her wings to show the guards and her husband the infant that clung to her neck and still shook from the cold. Shining Armor’s horn lit up before Cadence stopped him. “Don’t! He is harmless as a fly! He is just scared and cold and wanting his mother back! Have some sympathy for this creature!” She shouted to the guards and Shining Armor. They all blinked as they looked between her and the creature on her back.

Shining Armor sighed before saying. “Fine! We will bring it back to the castle, but as soon as we are there, I am running a full security scan on it!” Shining said in a tone that meant he was not going to take no for an answer.

Cadence didn’t want to terrify the poor infant anymore that it already was, but if it meant getting it out of the cold and into the warmth, she would allow it. She was going to make sure that she would oversee the tests however, no matter how much Shining would protest. She sighed and nodded as the guards formed a tight circle around Cadence with Shining in the front as they walked back to the city.

This situation could go two ways for Cadence and her people. One: The creature on her back was evil and just waiting for the moment to strike. Or two: The poor thing was just lost and alone and needed a loving home and family.

She prayed to her aunt that it was the latter.

Cadence sat in the corner of the room smiling and urging the poor thing to keep calm as Shining Armor and several other unicorns scanned him with spells. They found out much about this creature, such as how it’s anatomy worked, what gender it was, how old it was, and even more disturbing, it had little to no trace of magic in it’s body making it impossible to be corrupted by Sombra’s magic. Sadly, not even Cadence’s protests could keep her in for all of the tests and she had to leave when the tests became more difficult and harder to concentrate on.

Cadence was even more sorrowful for the creature now. She had been told the poor thing was nothing more than a seven year old colt that was in no way affected by Sombra’s magic. The colt was just cold, alone, and needing his mother.

‘Which he might not find her again.’ Cadence thought mournfully. Shining Armor returned with a stoic expression before he breath a sigh of relief and relaxed receiving a loving nuzzle from Cadence.

“You were right. Again.” Shining Armor said rolling his eyes. “He was not by any means connected to Sombra, but he is the strangest creature we have ever seen.”

“What do you mean?” Cadence asked looking at him.

“Well the doctor said that his anatomy and diet is that of a griffon.” Shining Armor Stated.

“He is a omnivore?” Cadence gasped as Shining nodded.

“But his body would be able to be sustained off of a large amount of protein taken from nuts and other such foods, so his body could survive without the consumption of meat.” Shining said. “But even stranger, the creature is hairless. What you saw was merely several articles of clothing. And stranger still it stands up on two legs instead of four.”

“So... He is like a hairless Diamond dog that is omnivorous?” Cadence said trying to contemplate the strange creature.

“In a nutshell. Whatever it is, I can tell you this much.” Shining said as he looked to the room where the small child of... Whatever he was, was sitting and gently tapping his feet together and talking with the nice nurse pony. “He is scared. Very very scared.”

“So what do we do Shiny?” Cadence asked as Shining Armor scrunched up his nose at the name.

“You know I hate that name.” He said before Cadence kissed him. “Okay, now I hate it less, but I still don’t like it.”

“I know.” Cadence said smiling as she nuzzled into Shining again. “But in all honesty what are we going to do for that poor child?”

“Well... We have options.” Shining Armor said. “We could send him to Twilight, she might know what he is and where he came from and possibly how to get him home.”

“Shining, I don’t think sending a possibly rare,or even more possible, only one of a species to Twilight would be a good idea.” Cadence said making Shining chuckle.

“I guess not.” He said smiling. “We could always put him in the orphanage so a Pony, Griffon, or friendly Diamond Dog could adopt him.”

“Hmm.” Cadence hummed as she looked into the room. The child was in nothing but a small shirt that went to it’s elbows and pants that went to it’s feet. The child seemed to be much more calm now, but still was terrified of where he was. He needed a true mother. One that would take care of him, and make sure he was safe from harm. That sparked an idea in her mind. “Shiny?”

“Yes, Candy?” Shining said looking down at her.

“You know how I have been wanting a foal of my own?” Cadence said making Shining’s expression turn to one as if he had just eaten something sour.

“You aren’t suggesting...” Shining trailed off.

“What if we raised him ourselves?” Cadence asked looking up at him with a serious expression. Shining looked at her, then to the child, then back to her before sighing.

“Do you think that is a good idea?” Shining said.

“Of course!” Cadence said smiling. “We have the resources to give him what he needs, I have the time since our fair city has been at a slow point these past few weeks, and we can tell aunt Celestia before we make this decision!”

“... You thought of all that in a span of twenty minutes of us standing in this hallway?” Shining asked while Cadence nodded. Shining looked back at the child before looking to Cadence and seeing her infectious smile. He tried to resist, but he could not stop from smiling and finally sucumbing to her. “Alright, but we ask Princess Celestia first!”

“Yay! You are the best husband ever!” Cadence gushed as she wrapped her wings and hooves around Shining as he rolled his eyes.

“Yeah yeah, I am the greatest. Now let’s go write that letter.” Shining said as he told the guards and doctors to take care of the child before they went to Cadence’s office to write the letter telling their aunt of what they planned to do.

Chapter 2: And so it begins...

Celestia was sitting at the massive table of the Dining hall with her sister Luna, whom had just finished raising the moon. She daintily sipped at her soup while she read over the days events while her sister trotted over and sat next to her, giving out a loud yawn as she relaxed in the chair making Celestia giggle slightly.

“Tell us sister, what has happened whilst we were asleep?” Luna asked as a chef brought out a bowl of soup and a glass of juice for the lunar princess. Celestia hummed as she thought while watching her sister lazily pick up the spoon with her magic and float it over to her bowl.

“Nothing too interesting.” Celestia said as she took another spoonful from her soup. “Just the normal collection of ponies coming to request actions being taken for things that probably aren’t that big of a deal.”

“Ah, so it was one of those days.” Luna said giggling tiredly. Celestia just rolled her eyes and nodded before chuckling herself.

“To be honest, it was rather slow. I am looking forward to tomorrow though.” Celestia said smiling happily while Luna looked up from her soup to look at Celestia.

“What is happening tomorrow?” Luna inquired.

“Well, you see. One of my guards told me that we work too hard on occasions and to try and relax somedays.” Celestia said grinning even wider. “So, I passed a small decree a little while ago that every two months, I couldn’t find any other way sadly, we both get a full week to ourselves! And tomorrow that starts!”

“Really?” Luna asked raising an eyebrow while Celestia only nodded. Luna smiled sleepily before giggling. “You are one of a kind sister.”

“I know, I am amazing.” Celestia said with a dramatic flip of her ethereal mane. There was a minute long silence until both of the princesses burst into laughter, even some of the guards in the room were quietly chuckling to themselves. The laughter quieted down after a small wisp of pink smoke rolled through the window and formed into a scroll in front of Celestia, falling next to her plate.

She wiped the tears from her eyes while Luna continued to snicker and picked up the scroll with her magic before opening it. Her smiled slowly changed to one of seriousness and confusion as she read the scroll. Luna picked up on this and scooted her seat over to look over her sister’s shoulder.

“What has you so vexed sister?” Luna asked before Celestia lifted her head and stared off a moment before looking to Luna.

“Cadence has found a strange child of an unknown species and is requesting to take it under her care acting as it’s foster mother.” She summarized making Luna’s eyes slightly bulge from her head.

“Thou art kidding, right dear sister?” Luna asked before Celestia shook her head ‘no’ and magicked the scroll over to her so she could read it herself. Her eyes nearly popped out of her head as she read. “You are not kidding.”

“No, I am not...” Celestia muttered as she began to rub her temples. “What a wonderful start to our little vacation.”

“What are we going to do about this, Tia?” Luna asked looking at her sister and placing the scroll down. Celestia sighed and rubbed her temples a bit more before saying.

“Unfortunately, I will have to go and see what this creature is. Tomorrow though, I am sure Shining Armor will not simply let that creature go anywhere without guards so they should be safe until I arrive tomorrow.” Celestia sighed out. Luna looked at her sister with Sympathy, her ears lowering to lay on her head.

“Well... What if I went?” Luna said pointing to herself. Celestia raised an eyebrow and looked at her.

“You would go there in place of me?” Celestia asked.

“Why not? We both are rulers, we both know have seen many creatures through the ages, and I have read up on everything new that has happened since I came back.” Luna said smiling. “Plus, you would get to sleep in, and I would be able to not go to Night court! So it’s a Win win!”

Celestia tapped her chin in thought as she mulled over what Luna said. She finished her food and smiled before looking to Luna. “Alright, you may go inspect this new creature, I will send Cadence and Shining a letter telling them of your arrival.” Celestia said as a scroll levitated over to her and Luna squee’d, clapping her hooves together.

“Oh thank you Tia! This will be an interesting visit indeed!” Luna said giddily. Celestia just rolled her eyes and grabbed a Quill. Quickly writing out a note, she sent it off. Celestia let out a small yawn and rubbed her tired eyes with a hoof. “I will send for a chariot, sister. You go to sleep.”

“Indeed. Good night Luna. Be sure to tell me everything after you get back.” Celestia said as she stood from her chair and exited the Dining Hall. Luna just let out a giddy giggle and finished her breakfast, or dinner considering the time, before heading out to find a chariot and informing the guards at the throne room that she wouldn’t be attending the Night court.

“I wonder what this creature is like?” Luna mused to herself as she got into the chariot, and feeling the gentle tug of it being pulled into the sky.

Cadence walked back down the corridor as she read the scroll that had arrived on her desk. Her Aunt Luna was going to be arriving soon, and she had to make sure that the creature was still calm. She didn’t want the poor little thing having a panic attack when Luna shouted her ‘normal’ greetings. As she neared the door that held the strange creature, she heard something that sounded of laughter. She smiled slightly and raised an eyebrow before peeking in and saw the little creature giggling while one of the nurses made silly faces.

Cadence snickered and quietly opened up the door before entering on quiet hooves. Cadence put a hoof up to her lips as the child looked at her and he nodded while the nurse kept doing her little routine. When the child let out another bout of laughter, Cadence joined in, simply giggling along with the kid. The nurse let out a high pitched ‘EEP’ before spinning around and blushing till her blue coat was purple from the amount of red her cheeks were burning with.

“P-Princess! I didn’t hear you come in!” The nurse sputtered out, grinning sheepishly as she tried her best to maintain eye contact with Cadence. Cadence just giggled again and smiled.

“Don’t worry! It is a good thing you are making him feel welcome.” Cadence said as she walked over to the child and sat next to him. “How are you feeling?” She asked looking at the child.

“I-I am okay... Has... Has my mommy come back yet?” He asked looking at Cadence. She felt that thump in her throat from before making sure she wasn’t showing any signs of what she was feeling.

“N-not yet, b-but... Let’s not worry about that right now, I am sure everything is fine.” Cadence said. “Right now, I need to ask you a few things and I want you to answer them truthfully alright?”

“O-okay.” He said nodding.

“Alright, what is your name?” Cadence asked.

“Christopher. But a lot of people call me Chris.” Chris said smiling slightly.

“That’s a nice name. I am Cadence.” She said smiling as warmly as she could. “Now, do you know why you were out in the snow in the first place?”

“I was going sledding with my mom and then I went down the hill, b-but when I did the wind got really b-bad a-and I was pushed off then I tried to f-find my mom a-and...” Chris said as his eyes started to tear up again. Cadence opened a wing and wrapped it around Chris before gently cooing to keep him calm.

“Nurse, please leave us.” Cadence said gently. The nurse only nodded and left the room while Cadence turned back to Chris.

“It’s okay little one... Don’t worry, I will take care of you until your mother comes to take you back.” Cadence said soothingly as Chris only nuzzled into her side, sniffling and trying to keep the tears from falling. Cadence felt a small warmth in her chest as she hugged Chris a little tighter with her wing.

“Thank you, Miss Cadence.” Chris said as he pulled away from Cadence and wiped his eyes with a hand.

“It’s alright little one. Now, I don’t want to worry you, but there is going to be another pony coming to see you.” Cadence said as Chris looked up at her in wonder. “And she is going to see if you are a... Oh how do I put this lightly?”

“A n-nui-sance?” Chris said tripping over the word as he spoke, then scrunching up his nose and furrowing his brow as if he ate something sour. “That’s not a nice word...”

Cadence gave a light chuckle and shook her head. “It is not, but if you keep being your adorable little self, then I am sure she won’t say you are a nuisance.”

“Okay...” Chris said quietly. Everything was silent a moment as the awkward nature of their talk began to permeate the air. Cadence gave a small clearing of her throat to catch Chris’ attention.

“Well how about you tell me a little about what you like to do?” Cadence said quickly changing the subject. Chris perked right up and smiled.

“Oh! I love to listen to music!” He said happily as Cadence smiled.

“Really? What kind do you like most?” Cadence asked smiling.

“Well... I like it all! I never really could pick a favorite...” Chris said as he tapped his chin with a hand. Then he smiled and climbed off the table, much to Cadence’s confusion, until he walked over to his coat and stuck his hand into the inside of it, digging around for something.

“May I ask what you are doing?” Cadence inquired as the little child continued to dig into his coat. He was about to speak up when he quickly pulled something from his coat. It looked like a small black rectangle with a white cord wrapped around the middle. Chris happily jogged back over and hopped up onto the doctor’s examination table, grunting and letting out annoyed huffs until he was sitting like he was not a minute ago.

“My mom let me listen to this when I was waiting for something, or was bored. It’s full of music I like to listen to!” Chris exclaimed happily as he undid the cord that was wrapped around the object. Cadence raised an eyebrow in confusion and only watched as Chris untangled the wire.

“That little thing holds music?” Cadence asked in an unconvinced tone. “But how does it play a record?”

“Rec-cord? I don’t know what that is, but this thingy plays tons of music! My mom showed me how to pick songs and how to play songs, but I don’t know much else about it...” Chris said as he flipped it over so that there was a small circle and a smaller rectangle of glass. He pressed a button in the middle of the device and the glass lit up with a white screen, making Cadence let in a small gasp.

“H-how is that doing that?” Cadence asked as she watched Chris scrolls his finger along the white circle, making the small blue bar slide up and down the glass screen.

“I dunno!” Chris said shrugging. “But my mum won’t let me listen to some songs. She said they had bad words in them and that I wasn’t old enough for them. So she told me to stay away from those types of songs...”

“I see...” Cadence said blushing slightly at the suggestions that put in her mind. “Well since you have your little music playing device, would you like to show me some of the music you like?”

“Sure!” Chris said happily. He picked up this small circle that was connected to the white cord and put one in his ear as he held out the other. Cadence looked at the object warily before hesitantly taking the object in her magic and placing it in her ear as well. “What do you like to listen to Miss Cadence?”

“Um... How about some classical?” Cadence suggested as Chris nodded and began spinning his finger over the small white circle. He pressed a button and Immediately, Cadence’s left ear heard the wondrous sound of a violin. She blinked in surprise as she heard all of the instruments in perfect harmony. From the plucked strings to the rhythmic strums, every note was as clear as water.

“That was wonderful!” Cadence said clapping her hooves together making Chris giggle. “How did you do that?”

“I didn’t do it, silly! It was this thing! My mom called it a... Ee-pod? Something with a ‘Pod’ in it.” Chris said scratching his head.

“That is amazing! Do you have more songs that we could listen too?” Cadence asked excitedly while Chris giggled again and nodded.

“Uh-huh!” He replied enthusiastically. The two laughed and giggled while they listened to music from Chris’ ‘Music-Pod’, as Cadence decided to call it.

Time seemingly flew by as the two listened to the music, and before they knew it, Shining Armor was knocking at the door. Cadence took the headphones from her ears. She gave Chris one more smile before hopping off of the examination table and walking to the door. Swiftly opening it, she walked outside to see Shining standing with a semi-nervous smile.

“Uh, Candy? Your aunt has arrived.” He said, pointing a hoof outside the window. Cadence poked her head out of the window, seeing the chariot land with Luna residing inside of it. A small wave of panic swept over her, mostly for Chris. A few minutes of frantic pacing, odd looks from Shining Armor, and quite a few deep breaths, Cadence finally calmed down to greet her aunt. Luna turned the corner, smiling widely at her niece and nephew-in-law. Luna was excited to see this new creature, even more so to finally be doing something that didn’t involve doing nothing while staring at a set of doors.

“Cadence! Shining Armor! Tis good to see you both once again!” She stated, happily and a bit louder that needed. Shining suppressed a chuckle as he heard Luna speak in the ‘Olden Tongue’. No matter how many times he heard it, he couldn’t help but laugh a little. He got a quick jab from Cadence, making him stand up straight with a large smile on his face. Cadence rolled her eyes at her husband and walked forward to meet Luna halfway down the hall.

They shared a quick hug and nuzzle before going towards the room that held Chris. “So... What can thou tell me of this strange creature?” Luna asked, looking to her niece.

“Well, all we know so far is that he is only a child, around the age of seven. He has no idea where he is or how he got here...” Cadence said as Luna stopped.

“So thou wasn’t jesting? Tis truly a infant that you wish to take under thou’s wing?” Luna asked, raising an eyebrow. Cadence only nodded with a smile. Luna shook her head and gave a small smile. “Truly a kind heart in thee. What else can thou tell me of...”

“His name is Chris.” Cadence said with a large smile. Luna nodded before gesturing for her to continue. “Well. He is rather shy at the moment and he is very scared right now. He also has this device that plays music like a record player, only it’s the size of a box of matches!”

“Really?” Luna asked, dumbfounded by the idea of such a device. Cadence nodded happily. “Fascinating... Tell me how did you find this creature?”

“He was.... Crying out for his mother, out in the tundra.” Cadence said somberly. Sympathy brewed in Luna’s heart as her expression became doleful. She lowered her head a moment to silently give wishes of hope and solace to the mother of the child, as well as the child himself.

“Tis a tragic way to find a child...” Luna said, finally breaking her silence and looking down the hall, seeing Shining Armor glancing through the glass window of the examination room. Luna straightened up a moment before beginning to walk towards the room, only to have Cadence stop her. Turning to her niece with a quizzical expression, Cadence began to speak.

“Auntie, I don’t want to sound rude, but please try to refrain from doing your Royal voice. He is very skittish as it is.” Cadence said, wincing as she spoke. Instead of the nasty look she was expecting, she got a warm hearted chuckle in return.

“I know how to deal with Children, Cadence. Thou shouldn't assume mine knowledge is only of the past and its ways.” She said, strutting forward and leaving Cadence with a somewhat baffled expression. Luna swiftly approached the room, waiting for Cadence to catch up. Giving a gesture of her hoof, she looked to her niece. “I believe he will handle my arrival better if thou were to introduce us. A familiar face, however new, is always a comfort in stressful situations.”

Cadence nodded, smiling at her Aunt’s advice, and gently opened the door. Chris was fiddling with his device and rubbing his socked feet together anxiously. He looked up to see Cadence, giving a small smile, before turning his head and seeing Luna. His head tilted at her appearance, the ever flowing mane catching him off guard. Once more, awkwardness hung in the air like a bad stench until Luna nudged Cadence with her elbow.

The pink mare jump a moment before chuckling nervously, the feeling of dread slowly resurfacing. “Chris, this is my Aunt Luna. She is just going to ask you a few questions and then she will be on her way.” Cadence explained as Luna stepped forward, a smile on her lips.

“Hello, young one.” She began, sitting down in front of Chris, her height allowing her to be eye to eye with him. Chris shifted uncomfortably for a moment, his head drooping and peeking from under hair. This only made Luna smile a bit more. She was used to children being nervous around her, since that fateful Nightmare Night, only finding it adorable in most respects. “Do not worry little one, I am not here to harm you. May I ask you a few things?” Her tone was calm and gentle, making sure to keep her own volume down.

“S-Sure...” Chris muttered out, as he looked up at Luna. After gaining eye contact, Luna relaxed a moment and got comfortable.

“Thank you, Chris. Now let’s get down to business so you can get out of this stuffy room quicker.” Luna said with a small chuckle, making Chris giggly lightly in return.

Author's Notes:

All credit goes to original composers of the music within the Chapter.
Now that that is out of the way, I am going to be focusing a lot more on this story! So yeah! No more hiatus!
Although Chapters will be slow to come out at first, they should pick up eventually. Get ready for a small adventure everyone!
Also need a better Chapter title...

Chapter 3: The Harsh Reality

Chris didn’t know the answer to many of the questions Luna was asking, quite a few confusing him as his vocabulary wasn’t too large. By the end of her questioning, she had taken several reports taken from the doctors, asked a few questions the medical staff that had tested and examined him in detail, scanning the area of the blizzard outside the city for any clues, and had done a half hour’s worth of scouring through several ancient tombs of historic creatures that previously inhabited Equestria.

With no previous mention of ‘Human’ in history and his naive innocents, Luna was ready to make her decision. While the odds were still in Chris’ favor and his sweet shy demeanor helped his case, Cadence couldn’t help but feel nervous as she watched her aunt stroll back towards the examination room. As the lunar mare stopped in front of Cadence and Shining, she gave both of them a stoic face.

The silence that held control over the air in the room was broken when Luna cleared her throat. “Cadence, Shining Armor. I have completed my research and have come to my solution for the small creature you wish to adopt.” She began, making Cadence quiver with anticipation while Shining Armor retained his usual stone faced expression. “If both of thee wish to take this wayward child under thou’s care and raise him as thou’s own, I have no reason to deny your request.” Cadence nearly cheered with glee had it not been for one small thing.

“But-” The catch. Cadence almost deflated as she heard Luan begin to speak once more. “You must make sure the child is willing to be taken under your care. From what I have heard, the poor colt was separated from, and most likely lost, his mother. This surely is traumatic for the child, as he is firmly sure his mother is coming back. And I can assure you, no one is out in that tundra and that child was lucky to be found when he did or he would have surely frozen.” The words made Cadence wince at the grim thoughts.

“So in short, before you attempt any legalities or prepare to take care of him, thou must make sure he understands the situation and accepts it. Otherwise, I cannot let thee raise him.”

“Wait wait wait...” Shining began, raising a hoof and putting it on the bridge of his nose. “Are you saying we have to go in there and tell him that the possibility of finding his mother is slim to none and then ask him if he wants us to take care of him?” Cadence’s heart froze in shock and horror. She knew she would have to have told him eventually, but not within the next twenty-four hours. She was snapped out of her thoughts by Shining’s voice. “Cadence? Are you sure you want to do this?”

Biting her lip, she looked from Luna and Shining to Chris, who was still idly tapping his feet and listening to his music with the nurse from earlier. A small smile was on his lips and he seemed much more calm than before. He was too sweet and innocent to be left to fend for himself in a foster care, along with the likelihood of him getting adopted by the Xenophobic populace was completely nonexistent. A somber sigh escaped her lips as she turned back towards Luna, giving a slow nod.

“I will tell him.” She stated reluctantly. Luna gave her a smile, taking the opportunity to drape and wing over her niece's back and give her a light hug. “But may I at least hold off until tomorrow? I don’t want to hurt him so soon after getting out of the snow.” Luna gave a slow, but firm, nod of approval.

“I understand thou’s reluctance, my niece. This shall not be a easy task, but I wish thee the best of luck. Now if thou will excuse me-” She let go of Cadence and turned towards the halls. “I must adjourn back to Canterlot. My time here has been exciting, but I must return to my own royal duties. Please contact me or Celestia when everything has been said and done.”

And with that, Luna walked off and down the hall, leaving Cadence and Shining Armor to figure out a way to break the news gently.

They had given a room for Chris to sleep and recover in, while Cadence and Shining continued to mull over the ways to do it. They had finally decided on the direct and gentle approach, seeing how beating around the bush would simply make the experience harder. As everyone laid sleeping, the sound of gently breathing filling the air, Cadence laid wide awake.

In no manner was she looking forward to breaking the harsh news to the child. She wished to all heavens that there was a easier way. She could only imagine how it was going to fare as she finally closed her eyes and let herself fall asleep, her dreams filled of relaxing thoughts and images, courtesy of the fair night goddess.

As the next morning rose, Cadence prepared herself for the day. Dawning her regala, making sure that not a single hair was out of place, her wings preened, and her smile warm. However, she knew what the morning meant.

The day went by fairly quick. They had eaten breakfast with Chris, the child vocalising and praising the chefs for their cooking, causing quite a few chuckles and giggles to be heard throughout the castle. Cadence went to her office, with Chris in tow, while Shining Armor went about his job, directing and training the guards. Before they knew it, the afternoon was upon them and the time to do the deed was nigh.

Cadence had chosen a small place in the gardens, the warm sun and relaxing breeze giving comfort to everyone around. A beautiful place for such a harsh truth. She sat down, patting the area of grass next to her. As Chris plopped himself onto the ground, she took in a dep breath and began to speak.

“Chris, I need to tell you something, but I am afraid you will not like it.” Cadence stated, gaining the boy’s attention. “We have been searching for your mother for quite sometime, scanning and searching every inch of the tundra outside of our castle, asking all of the ponies across the city and even a few outside of the city. But I am afraid... ” She truly did not want to say these last words, she’d rather have chewed her own hoof off than tell a child he’d never see his mother again.

“What, Mrs.Cadence?” He asked sweetly, his eyes showing worry and apprehension. Cadence took another shaky breath and let it out slowly.

“I am afraid, we couldn't find her. Or how you got here. I am so sorry.” Chris’ gained a knowing but denying expression.

“I-I can’t go home? T-To my M-mommy?” The words tore Cadence apart from the inside as she nodded sadly. He was quiet a moment before he silently began to sob, putting his face into his knees as he cried. Cadence put a wing and a arm around him, pulling him into her side. Chris only wrapped his arms around her middle, now sobbing loudly into her fur.

Cadence could only repeat the same phrase over and over again as she clutched the child tightly against her chest and rocked back and forth. “I am so sorry.”

Author's Notes:

This was heart wrenching to write.
I am not so good with sad stuff.